5 Mistakes to Avoid When Travelling Abroad

Heading off on holiday is always a joyous occasion. Taking a break from our daily struggles gifts us the chance to unwind and find the much-needed rest and relaxation which gets us through life. However, things aren’t always sunshine and roses on our travels. Let’s take a look at five mistakes to avoid when travelling abroad.

1. Tourist traps

Some famous landmarks are well worth checking out. Others aren’t. We’ve all been fed fairy-tale images of iconic locations, but sadly not all live up the hype. These tourist traps often charge extortionate prices for admission, and will be surrounded by stalls and shops who’ve also hiked their prices up.

Without question the worst part is always the swarms of people who’ll frequent an area – making it ridiculously difficult to get a good glimpse of anything. You won’t be able to pause too long in the same place, with a queue of people building up behind you.

2. Processing fees

If you’re thinking about using your card to purchase items on your travels, definitely reconsider. Practically all banks will charge a 3% processing fee when you use your card overseas – every time you use it.

This is true regardless of whether or not you’re on holiday – but can be particularly disastrous for your trip if it’s something like your wallet or phone that’s being left behind. Perhaps most worryingly of all, you won’t be covered by your insurance if you’ve just left them lying around on the beach or on public transport.

Keep constant vigilance over your precious items at all times. If you let them fall out of sight, you could find yourself in an incredibly tricky position heading forwards. Both at home and abroad.

4. Packing errors

Packing isn’t exactly “fun”, but it is crucial. Don’t make the mistake of taking too much or too little when you head abroad. Knowing how much is just right is admittedly difficult. Think about how long you’re going for and the kind of climates you’re going to be facing.
It might be something you want to rush, but packing is actually one of the most important aspects of travelling. When it comes to your wardrobe, if you fail to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.

5. Eating at restaurants
While it’s nice to treat yourself occasionally, it’s advised you try to avoid eating out too often. Cook for yourself, or buy street food. It will be considerably cheaper, but should still see you snacking down on a tasty dish.

Bear these standard holidaying mistakes in mind when you head off on your travels. If you keep them at the forefront of your thoughts, you’ll be able to guarantee your holiday is as fun as can be.